How can I persuade my girlfriend to use protection with me?

Question

My girlfriend and I have been dating for quite some time now, and we have started making love on occasion. I am worried, though... she doesn't like to use condoms (I think she's allergic to latex, from what she's described to me), and her health insurance will not cover the high cost of birth control. What other forms of protection from an unwanted pregnancy are there, and what are the pros/cons to them?

Answer 1

Condoms also come in vinyl and natural

Answer 2

There is an injection she can get every 3 months instead of taking the pill or she can have a little thing inserted under the skin (sorry I cant think of the name of it) that acts as protection until it is removed - I can understand her not wanting to use something she is allergic to - My sister and I are both sensitive to semen - it burns for at least an hour afterwards so I prefer to use a condom - OH just thought of a couple more ideas - she could use an IUD (which can cause infections but are effective while the IUD is in place) or she could use a ... ARGH cant think of the name of it but its like a rubber dome that a female inserts to catch the semen however she may also be allergic to this although I dont think they are a latex product.

Answer 3

There are hypoallergenic condoms available now , I've listed a few sites of makers below . I'm quite sure they would be available in most pharmacies and if unsure don't be shy ask the pharmacists to indicate one for hypoallergenic qualities . I would recommend the use of these or perhaps assist in the cost of other birth control such as the pill or a patch now available . Most insurance companies likely wouldn't contribute to pregnancy prevention unless for permanent sterilization purposes . I obtained a vasectomy and the cost was just slightly over 500 dollars . However if you are young and want this option left open don't do that . Keep in mind the expenses involved are negligible compared with the cost of raising a child and the consideration of your readiness for that. It only takes once you know . I've been down this road before as my first wife intentionally stopped her birth control without my knowledge and in my effort to do the responsible thing we were married . However it only lasted a short time and I was just used as a pawn to get her established on her own . Just a bit of a joke but with some seriousness , don't do the crime if you can't do the time . Best to move on if she is unwilling to comply unless your certain she's marriage material as far as your feelings are concerned .

Answer 4

The best way for her is to go on the pill. There are lots of generic pills available now and overall its the best form of birth control. Don't even bother with the rythmn method and the 'pull out before I ejaculate' method because more pregnancies occur that way. If she's allergic to latex and can't bear the cost of pills...what is she going to do if she gets pregnant? One way is that she places an IUD in her uterus but that's not recommended if she's never had a baby. There are also non-latex condoms like Durex's Avanti which are a good option. Whatever you do, don't end up getting her pregnant because it doesn't sound like either of you want a baby in the picture too right now (they're really expensive too!)

Answer 5

All current answers to your question are excellent from a practical sense. You now know that there are other birth control methods, including condoms that are not latex. You also know now of an organization that dispenses free birth control pills.
Therefore, let me deal with what I believe is the larger issue here. It seems that you have a girlfriend who enjoys controlling and manipulating "her man." Notice that she put you in a somewhat indefensible position--if you wanted to make love with her. Condoms, she said, would be uncomfortable. She implied therefore, that "surely you don't want me to be uncomfortable. Then she said, I can't afford birth control because my insurance won't pay for it. Please note that she didn't consider any other options, e.g. other methods of birth control, or the two of you sharing the birth control costs, since this issue involves each of you. Rather, she issued a quiet ultimatum--If you want sex with me, you must agree that I am in control of the pregnancy issue. I note also, with interest, that you apparently didn't offer to buy the birth control pills.
Also my friend, you girlfriend leaves the door open for her to have sex with other men, and if she gets pregnant she has the power to SELECT her baby's daddy, since, as the traditionalists say: "It's mother's baby and daddy's maybe. Oh, I know about dna, but if you will not pay for birth control, why would you pay for a dna test?
You see, my friend, I believe you must consider a much larger issue here. Is this a healthy relationship where one partner issues an ultimatum, and the other partner must take it or leave it? If ultimatum issues begin here, where do they end?
I believe you should resolve the larger issues first, because I believe the condom concept is simply a trigger your girlfriend uses to a control climax. Yes, the pun is intended.
Have a nice day.

Answer 6

I’m allergic to condoms. What can I do about it?
Most condoms are made of latex rubber, so if you truly are allergic to condoms, it is probably a latex allergy that is causing the problem. In the USA, for example, about 1–3% of people are allergic to latex. The allergy is even more common (about 6–7%) in people who regularly come into contact with latex in their working lives, such as healthcare workers (because of latex gloves) and people working in latex manufacturing. Latex allergy is also very common in people with spina bifida, probably because they have had a lot of operations from a young age involving contact with surgeons’ latex gloves. As far as I know, once you develop this problem, you always have it.

Is it truly condom allergy?
Allergy to latex condoms can cause a rash on the penis, or on the genital skin of your sexual partner. As well as redness, there may be blistering and itching. The rash usually occurs 6–48 hours after using the condom. If these are your symptoms, latex allergy could be the reason, but other things can also cause similar symptoms. For example, using a perfumed bubble bath, soap or shower gel that does not suit you can cause irritation on the genitals, or an infection such as herpes might be responsible.
Some condoms contain a spermicide (usually nonoxynol-9), so your problem could be sensitivity to the spermicide, rather than to the latex rubber.

Try non-latex, non-spermicide condoms
Non-latex condoms are available, so it would make sense to try these. Check the description on the packet. Non-latex condoms will usually state that they are made from polyurethane (but there are other non-latex materials). As well as not provoking an allergic reaction, they do not have a rubbery smell. Also, they conduct body heat better so they feel thinner than they really are, which may make sex more pleasurable.
* Durex Avanti is a widely available polyurethane condom.
*eZ.on is a polyurethane condom that is ‘bidirectional, so you can put it on inside-out.
*Tactylon is another non-latex condom.
Research suggests that the Avanti and Tactylon condoms are as effective for contraception as the usual latex types. However, non-latex condoms are slightly more likely to break, so take extra care putting them on (see Using a condom).
Check that the condom does not contain spermicide, such as nonoxynol-9. (In fact, this is less common in condoms now, because research among women at high risk of catching HIV showed that nonoxynol-9 actually increased their risk.)

Latex allergy can be serious
Latex allergy can sometimes be much more serious than just a rash. It can cause shortness of breath, feeling faint and swelling of the skin shortly after contact with latex. Anyone with these symptoms needs immediate medical attention. If this has happened to you in the past, you need to discuss it with your doctor, because in rare cases this type of reaction can be fatal. If you have latex allergy and need a medical or surgical procedure you should inform medical staff; you should also tell your dentist.
http://www.embarrassingproblems.com/problems/problempage011204.htm

Answer 7

No glove, no love....

There are condoms made of stuff other than latex....

Mate you are crazy to be having unprotected sex!!!! Lets just hope she was a virgin, as she doesn't like using condoms you are sleeping with not only her but every guy she has aswell and then some...you get the picture?

I'd make a date to go to Planned Parenthood and while you are there you should BOTH be tested for STD's

Answer 8

Um.. hun you know very little we are in "06" we have lots of new protection first of all latex condoms arnt the only condoms they have this special kind fpr people allergic it's called (non-latex)
and there are other protections she can use she can use a female condom or other stuff they have there should be NO excuss for no protection

Answer 9

No birth control, no sex - at least not of the vaginal variety. You REALLY don't want to go there.

Any form of birth control that doesn't involve latex will cost money. There are condoms for people who are allergic to latex, so you can try those.

Answer 10

well there are other devices that she can you such as the iud which a certain device that she has to have stuck up inside her. and thats a pro cause it kills off any sperm that reaches that area. the con is that there can follow alot of health problems that may require surgery. so my advice to you is to either find non-latex condoms (there is a such thing) or tell her that if she does not care enough about you to protect both of you then maybe she doesnt care about the relationship

Answer 11

I can't believe in this day and age, one or both of you could be so incredibly stupid.

What makes you think that if your girlfriend hasn't had sex with anyone else? Because she told you? And how do you know she isn't lying? And did she tell them not to use a condom too? And are you aware that not all sexually transmitted diseases show outward signs? Or that you might not have any symptoms right away? And that the best prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is a CONDOM?

Did it ever occur to you that she might want to get pregnant? That whether she wants to trap you or not by getting pregnant you are still financially liable for the baby daddy?

WISE UP! TELL HER NO CONDOM - NO SEX.